So yesterday at the Apple WWDC Apple announced iOS 5. iMessage forms part of this release which provides access to group messaging and unlimited text messaging via WiFi or 3G. It's built into the messages application and provides features such as sending:
- text
- video
- photos and
- location
to groups of friends. You can get delivery notifications and see if someone is typing a reply to you. In essence BBM for the iPhone.
Only trouble is it is limited to the iPhone (to be fair a load of people have these ;-) but in a social group, unless you all live in Islington, not everyone has one!) and doesn't work if you are not on a data network. there is no SMS integration. SMS is the lowest common denominator across all mobiles. At the moment it is still the only medium, other than calling people (which I believe that most mobiles do as well ;-) ), that can reach an entire group of mobile users.
So Apple are now a player in the Group Messaging fad, but it doesn't necessarily mean all of the cross platform group messaging apps will necessarily be quaking in their boots. Sure they will have to work harder to differentiate their service, but if they can keep a strong foothold on non iPhone platforms, they will be able to compete with iMessage.
SMS is STILL the lowest common denominator, accessible across almost all mobiles, when it comes to group messaging. Even now with Apple on board, there is STILL room for the carriers to make a dent in this market. Yes EVEN STILL! They should act quickly though before the market becomes completely saturated and folks have made their decision with which platform or app their social scene sits with. By the time those decisions are made and firmly imprinted, it's hard for folks to change their minds!
Cheers
m
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